Chapter 154: The Greatest Mobster and 10 Billion Gold Coins

Chapter 154 -121: The Greatest Mobster and 10 Billion Gold Coins

“Yes, if Viscount Steel said such things, then he is unfit to be a diplomat.”

The nobles murmured amongst themselves. Lorne Jackson trembled with rage, just as Catherine did.

Nancy Scalia, however, produced the negotiation records.

“This contains a record of everything Viscount Steel said. If you don’t believe me, you can see for yourselves.”

“That won’t be necessary. We believe Lady Mary.”

Lian answered on behalf of his fiancée, Catherine.

“Unfortunately, Viscount Steel’s beloved mistress passed away from illness not long ago. The loss dealt a great blow to his mental state, and he began suffering from a psychological disorder. Legally, we cannot recognize the testimony of someone who is mentally unwell. Therefore, while this record may be authentic, it is invalid.

“It was our mistake not to recall Viscount Steel sooner. We underestimated the fervent love he held for his mistress. Please return and inform Lady Mary that we will dispatch someone to renegotiate as soon as possible.”

This response earned the near-unanimous approval of the ministers and nobles of Blue Moon Territory.

George Moria and Val Simmons of the Creed Clan were also quite pleased with Lian’s performance.

In comparison, Catherine seemed far more naive, likely because she was overwrought with anger.

“Lady Mary wishes to know who will be conducting the negotiations.”

Nancy Scalia didn’t press the issue of the 10 billion gold coin ransom. Her only intention had been to use the matter to provoke Catherine, and now that her goal was achieved, that was enough.

She scanned the room, saw that all the important ministers were present, and decided this was the perfect opportunity to corner them.

If no one was willing to go to Yusofa and negotiate for Catherine, her authority as Lord would be completely undermined, and her position would become unstable.

She was confident Viscount Steel’s gruesome death would cause the cowardly nobles to shrink away, unwilling to risk their lives for Catherine.

And that was precisely what happened. The nobles exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes darting away as they took a step back, terrified Catherine would ask one of them to go.

Catherine’s expression was grim. The joy of her engagement had been entirely eclipsed by anger and sorrow.

Lorne Jackson desperately wanted to help his sister, but he was just as afraid of facing Mary. He could only lower his head and sigh.

The Simmons family and the Moria Clan watched the drama unfold. They couldn’t get too involved. While they supported Lian and Catherine’s engagement, they couldn’t afford to openly antagonize Mary, the Southern Dominator.

Just when everyone assumed no one would be willing to follow in Viscount Steel’s footsteps and take on the role of envoy, Lian stepped forward. He smiled at Catherine and said,

“Catherine, I know this is unorthodox, but I dearly miss the years I spent in Yusofa with Uncle Chris. If you’re willing, please allow me to act as your temporary diplomatic envoy. As your fiancé, I want to help share your burdens, and at the same time, I can visit my old friends in Yusofa.”

Catherine’s eyes welled with tears, moved once again by Lian stepping up for her.

‘The man before me always comes to my aid in my most desperate moments. He’s like my sun.’

To her, Yusofa was dispensable. But for Blue Moon Territory, it was critically important—it was a staging ground for war.

Yusofa not only boasted a superior strategic location, but it also served as a massive natural granary. Seizing it would bring nothing but benefits to Blue Moon Territory.

But it was definitely not worth 10 billion gold coins.

“I accept, Lian Moria. You will become Blue Moon Territory’s temporary diplomatic envoy. You are to travel to Yusofa and negotiate with the Lord of Rose Territory.”

Catherine extended her hand. Lian took her delicate fingers and brought them to his lips for a kiss.

“It is my honor to serve Catherine Rochelle Hernandez Mehelban Jackson.”

Although it was somewhat inappropriate for his station, the ministers of Green Shade Territory said nothing.

Kob and the others were military men; diplomacy was not their forte.

Alex Pool believed that every decision Lord Lian made was the right one. Time would prove it.

“Lord Lian, I will go with you.”

Alex Pool said without hesitation.

“We will go with you as well.”

Kob declared, not to be outdone.

The negotiations seemed to have shifted from being between Rose Territory and Blue Moon Territory to between Rose Territory and Green Shade Territory.

Dora badly wanted to go with Lian, but she worried Catherine could be targeted by assassins again and chose to remain by her side.

In stark contrast to the courage of the ministers from Green Shade Territory, the nobles and vassals of Blue Moon Territory were glaringly cowardly.

Catherine was disappointed in them, but there was nothing she could do.

Blue Moon Territory desperately needed manpower right now. She couldn’t just dismiss all these vassals, as they were still useful in other capacities.

Lorne Jackson again marveled at what a rare find Lian was. As long as he didn’t father an Illegitimate Child with a mistress, Lorne Jackson would stand firmly on his side.

Having failed to get the answer she wanted, Nancy Scalia could only depart in disappointment.

With her departure, the tense atmosphere in Blue Moon Castle finally eased.

Mina had servants remove the bodies of the Viscount and the “thugs” and clean the scene.

Lian raised his glass.

“Today is a joyous occasion. I hope you will all raise your glasses, forget your worries and what has passed, and enjoy this moment of celebration.”

Spurred on by Lian, everyone raised their glasses and drank deeply, temporarily forgetting the threat of Mary.

Lian exchanged toasts with the two patriarchs from the Creed Clan. He soon put his formidable drinking skills to use, drinking them both under the table until they were slurring his name like a long-lost brother.

They had likely never met a young man who could drink so heavily and still speak so eloquently.

‘Oh, he’s not a boy anymore. He’s a true man.’

When the banquet ended, both George Moria and Val Simmons needed servants to help them leave.

Lian watched as the nobles departed, then slowly set down his glass. He gazed at the now-empty banquet hall, so bustling just a moment before, and let out a long sigh.

“Lord Lian, why the sigh?”

Annie asked.

“I was just thinking… I didn’t expect to have to leave Catherine so soon.”

Lian said honestly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll go with you, if you need me.”

Before Annie could finish, Catherine cut her off.

“I’ll have Do—Magic Box go with you.”

Catherine didn’t want her fiancé stolen from under her nose; sending her best friend with him would give her some peace of mind.

Dora was her most trusted friend; she was certain Dora would never betray her.

Dora eagerly leaned in. “Really? You’ll let me go with Lian?”

“No. Magic Box needs to stay and protect you.”

Lian refused to let Dora accompany him.

Annie nodded emphatically. ‘One Sophie is already a handful. What’s with another Witch showing up?’

“Ever since you dealt with those Spies and Assassins, no one has dared to enter Blue Moon Castle. Besides, I have the Knight Order from His Majesty the King. And on top of that, Mary wants me alive for the time being. As long as Lorne is still living, she won’t do anything to me. You can go without worry.”

Catherine said earnestly.

Mary wanted to frame Catherine for Lorne’s death, so she naturally wouldn’t send more assassins after her.

But Lian would be facing Mary directly, which Catherine knew was incredibly dangerous. Sending Dora along would help ensure Lian’s safety.

“Miss Catherine is right, Lord Lian. Please, rest assured. I will protect Miss Catherine with my life.”

Knight Kage Mori said solemnly.

“Alright, then. Miss Magic Box will come with me.”

Lian relented.

‘Facing a terrifying existence like Mary… it would definitely be safer to have a Witch as a bodyguard.’

After all, he couldn’t exactly bring his “200,000-strong” army with him to Yusofa.

Late that night, in Catherine’s bedchamber, Lian and Catherine passed several more hours in intimate company before finally falling asleep in each other’s arms.

The next day, Lian bid farewell to his fiancée and set out on the journey to Yusofa.

His traveling companions included Annie, Dora, Alex Pool, and Kob, as well as Nancy Scalia and her Rose Knight Order.

She had only left Blue Moon Castle the previous night, not Blue Moon Territory itself.

In truth, she had another mission: to get close to Lian.

Mary hoped Nancy Scalia could use her beauty to seduce Lian Moria, thereby destroying his relationship with Catherine and shattering their alliance.

This, in fact, was Mary’s true “engagement gift” for Catherine.